Building panel construction and securement means therefor

ABSTRACT

A building panel construction for non-bearing partition walls and the like which are easily assembled and if need be, disassembled after erection and at a later time, wherein panels of identical configuration may be secured to one another in backto-back relationship by the disposition of a securement member in mating connector holes in each of the panels; wherein the connector member in the preassembled state is inserted into the connector holes and by a simple rotational movement thereof, effects rigid securement of each of the panels to one another. Alignment and positioning means are provided in the panels so as to aid in the securement operation and to lend some stability and rigidity to the assemblage and also disclosed is building construction utilizing panels as hereinbefore disclosed and connector members, all of which have aesthetic quality to blend into modern day architectural decor.

United States Patent Tucker 1 51 May 23, 1972 54] BUILDING PANEL CONSTRUCTION 3,339,954 9/1967 Alvden ..52/127 x AND SECUREMENT MEANS Pri Ex Pd C F J mary ammerce aw, r. THEREFOR Attorney-Mahoney, l-lornbaker & Schick [72] Inventor: Council A. 'Ibcker, Glendale, Calif. [73] Assignee: E. Walter Scott, Los Angeles, Calif. [57] ABSTRACT A building panel construction for non-bearing partition walls [22] Wed: 1970 and the like which are easily assembled and if need be, disas- [21] AppL NOJ 89,258 sembled after erection and at a later time, wherein panels of identical configuration may be secured to one another in back-to-back relationship by the disposition of a securement [52] U.S.Cl. ..52/l27,52/584, 287/ 189.36D member in mating connector holes in each of the panels; [51] Int. Cl ..E04b 1/60 wherein the connector member in the preassembled state is in- [58] Field of Search ..52/584, 127, 493,582; serted into the connector holes and by a simple rotational 287/ 189.36 D, 189.36 C movement thereof, effects rigid securement of each of the panels to one another. Alignment and positioning means are I 5 References Cited provided in the panels so as to aid in the securement operation and to lend some stability and rigidity to the assemblage and UNITED STATES PATENTS also disclosed is building construction utilizing panels as hereinbefore disclosed and connector members, all of which 3'l9964l 8/1965 Yake 52/127 have aesthetic quality to blend into modern day architectural 3,250,584 5/1966 Tassel! 52/127 X decon 3,276,l72 10/1966 Alvden ...52/584'X 3,298,145 1/1967 Minervini et a1 ..52/127 18 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented May 23, 1 972 ZSheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. COUNCIL A. TUCKER BYMAHONEY, HORNBAKER AND SCHICK ATTORNEYS Patented May 23, 1972 2 Sheets-Shect 2.

FIG. 3.

INVENTOR. COUNCIL A. TUCKER mAHONEY, HORNBAKER lm J FIG. 6.

I8 24 l6 I8 AND SCH/CK ATTORNEYS BUILDING PANEL CONSTRUCTION AND SECUREMENT MEANS THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to building construction members or in a broad sense, structural members that may be utilized in the interior wall fabrication of buildings. In a more general sense, the invention is directed to a means of securing one structural member to another wherein the structural members may be easily assembled and thereafter disassembled if need be with a minimum of effort in an efi'icient manner without causing damage to either one of the members of the assemblage.

In the architectural design of modern day buildings, particularly those of a commercial nature, it is necessary to design such buildings with an eye to future rearrangement or division of floor area, particularly by means of interior non-bearing partitions. Generally speaking, architects have only had available to them complicated, sophisticated structural members for use in designing buildings having interior partition walls that could be easily manipulated to segregate, divide or otherwise change existing floor areas. By the practice of this invention, an easily erected interior partition wall structure is provided which may be easily disassembled without injury to the assemblage for subsequent use.

The invention will have other applicability outside the specific building construction field wherein it is desirable to unite two structural members in a simple manner and to be able to disassemble them easily without resorting to substantial disassembly of the articles within which the structural members are used.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide structural members which are easily united and easily disassembled.

It is still another object of this invention to provide structural members which after assemblage, may be easily disassociated without substantial disassemblage of the over-all structure in which the structural members of this invention are used.

It is a specific object of this invention to provide building panel construction members which may be easily assembled and disassembled.

It is still a further specific object of this invention to provide building panel construction members of a simple design having connector means associated therewith which allows quick assembly and disassembly thereof.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide building panel construction wherein building panels, having mating connector holes are placed in side-by-side relationship and firmly secured together by means of a connector member rotatably and releasably disposed in the mating and aligned connector holes of the adjacent panels.

It is still a more specific and further object of this invention to provide building panel constructions of the interlocking type that may be disassembled from one another without substantial disassembly of the structures within which panels of this invention are used.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the purpose of illustration only.

Basically, an exemplary embodiment of the invention pertains to building construction comprising the combination of a first panel having a major planar span with spaced recessed portions, the wall of said span intermediate said recessed portions being discontinuous to define at least one connector hole having inwardly opposed tab portions lying in a plane offset from the plane of said span wherein a second panel similar to said first panel is positioned in abutting relationship therewith with the recessed portions being in contact with one another and a connector member is disposed in the said at least one connector hole of each of the panels which are in aligned relationship in inter-locking, interfitting relationship to rigidly secure the first and second panel together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an exploded view showing an exemplary connector member for use in practice of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a perspective assembled view of the connector member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of the invention showing panel members in the assembled state, using the connector member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view partially in cross section showing assemblage similar to FIG. 2, but prior to securement of the connector member to the adjacently positioned panels;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmented view of a portion of a structural member of this invention in the area of the connector hole;

FIG. 6 is a view, partially in cross section, taken along the line 66 ofFIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTS CONTEMPLATED Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals of reference will designate like elements throughout, a specific showing of the invention will be made as it applies to building panel construction, for example, which may be used in a variety of ways. For instance, while the invention is illustrated in the drawing in a horizontal position, they may and, in fact, are, used in vertical construction of, for instance, panel walls. Likewise, while the invention will be described in conjunction with panels of finite length utilizing one connector member and associated positioning means, it is obvious that longer and differently shaped members may be used and additionally, that a plurality of connector members and positioning means be used therewith to obtain additional rigidity and stability of the ultimate construction in which the invention is used. The following description will suffice to enable the practice of the invention in a multitude of fields in a multitude of ways, all of which are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Referring specifically now to the drawings, the panel construction or assembly 2 comprises a first, generally U-shaped in cross section, metal panel 4, having a major planar span 6 with integrally formed sidewalls 8 and 10 being normal to span 6. The panel 4 may, in appropriate circumstances, form what may be a connector plate to which other structural members such as large plates or panels to form wall covering surfaces may be attached by various means. Span 6 is discontinuous at a centrally located area between sidewalls 8 and 10 spaced so as to eventually insure structural rigidity in the assemblage of use and to thereby define a connector hole 12 by which means the panel 4 may be secured to an identically formed panel or connector plate here shown as a panel 14 positioned adjacent, in abutting relationship, to panel 4 as will be described. Connector hole 12 formed by punching out or the like, a section of the wall forming the span 6 is of curvilinear shape having inwardly projecting and opposed tab portions 16 thereby forming a constricted opening as shown in FIG. 5.

The wall of span 6 in the area of opening 12 is cut back as at the areas 18 to thereby allow the formation of end portions 22 of tabs 16 in the configuration shown. As will be seen portions 22 are angled downward a sufficient distance to present an inclined lead to the engaging arms of the connector member as will become apparent. The tabs 16 with curvilinear end portions such as 20 define between the opposed tabs 16 an innerset opening sufficient in size to accommodate a connecting member as will be described. Tab members 16 are provided with depending inclined end portions 22 and crown portion 24 providing a locking, frictional surface as will become apparent. The wall of span 6 in the area of connector opening 12 is outwardly offset to form exterior head 26, the interior surface thereof forming interior groove 28, around a major portion of connector opening 12. The web of material in the areas adjacent the opening 12 and between the recesses 30 and 32 is subject to a flexing or diaphragming action, spring-like in effect, within the flexural modulus of the material, e.g. coldrolled steel sheet. Thus the effect of ambient temperature changes resulting in expansion or contraction of the steel are then absorbed without loosening of the assembly, as will be described.

It will be noted that the apex of crown 24 is of the same height as head 26 and that the incline portion 22 of tab 16 begins at a point below the groove 28. The bead 26 as well as the specific configuration of the tabs 16 may be easily formed during a forming operation such as may be performed on a punch press. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, the panels 4 and 14 may be made of a suitable gauge metal consistent with these forming operations and generally 16 gauge will be found to be sufficient for the particular contemplated building panels field of use. Positioned on either side of connector hole 12 are recess portions 30 and 32 formed by punch press forming or the like of the wall of span 6, the recesses 30 and 32 projecting away from the plane of span 6 in a direction opposite sides 8 and 10. An alignment hole such as 34 is punched within each of the recess portions 30 and 32 in non-aligned fashion as illustrated in FIG. 2, while a portion of the wall of the span 6 is partially punched to form holes 34 and tangs 36 also projecting in the same direction as the recesses 30 and 32.

The panel 14 is formed identically to the panel 4 hereinbefore described but in order to assemble each of the panels, the panel 14 is put in reverse back-to-back relationship as shown in FIG. 2, so that adjacent recess portions such as 30 and 32 are in abutting relationship with similar recess portions formed on the center span of panel 14, thereby leaving a space between the planar spans 6 of panels 4 and 14 as shown in FIG. 4. By positioning the panels 4 and 14 in this manner, mating aligned relationship of adjacently positioned tang and hole takes place. That is, the tang 36 of panel 4 mates and engages the slot or hole 34 of panel 14, the combination of which forms an alignment and positioning feature until securement of the panels 4 and 14 may be made with a connector member such as 40.

In this instance, connector member 40 which is preassembled prior to insertion into connecting holes 12 of panels 4 and 14, comprises heavy gauge metal clinch plate 42, in this instance of gauge metal, having a somewhat cruciform configuration defining a pair of opposed arm portions 44 and 46, the arm portions 44 and 46 extending out from the main body of clinch plate 42. Clinch plate 42 is provided with two pairs of projections 48 and 50 adjacent arms 44 and 46 to be received by alignment cap members 52 and 54 having aligned slots 56 and 58 respectively of a size to accommodate projections 48 and 50. Cap members 52 and 54 are of congruent size and shape and are provided with sidewalls 60 slotted as at 62 to accommodate clinch plate arms 44 or 46 as the case may be. Integrally formed from side wall 60 of cap 52 are retaining arms 64 being somewhat of triangular shape and having an offset lug or engaging means 66 for purposes which will become ap parent. End caps 52 and 54 may be fabricated of molded plastic such as, for example, high impact styrene or polyethylene and when positioned on clinch plate 42 provides a connector member for securement of the panels 4 and 14. It will be noted that the size of the caps 52 and 54 leave a midportion 68 of clinch plate 42 uncovered so that it may be engaged by a wrench-like tool 70 for proper positioning within connector holes 12 of the abutting panels. Slots 62 in the caps 52 and 54 impart radial flexibility to the cap portions on either side thereof for purposes as will be described.

In an exemplary employment of the invention, a panel such as 4 has positioned in its connector opening 12, from the interior thereof, an assembled connector 40 which is press fitted therein and held in this position by arcuate surfaces of tabs 16 bearing against the flexible cylindrical wall portions adjacent the slots 62 of end caps 52 and 54 of connector 40. The press fit action is sufficient to hold connector 40 temporarily in this initial position and to allow the positioning, in back to back, aligned fashion, of panel 14 such that the connector 40 is received by the connector opening of panel 14 in similar press fit relationship as it was received by the connector opening of panel 4.

Referring specifically to F l0. 3 panels 4 and 14 are shown in the abutting relationship with the connector member 40 positioned prior to rotation. It will be seen that the inner opening defined by the curvilinear opposed portions 20 of the tabs 16 are sufficient to accommodate the diameter of the sidewalls of end caps 52 and 54 and to retain connector 40 in a friction fit manner. Connector member 40 is inserted into the connector holes 12 such that the opposed retaining arms 44 and 46 are in the largest portion of the hole 12, that is, adjacent the incline portions 22 of oppositely disposed tabs 16. The retaining arms 64 of the end caps act as a depth positioning means to align the connector for later rigid securement. The engaging surfaces 66 of radially extending arms 64 of end caps 52 and 54 engage the flange area 29 adjacent the interior groove 28 formed around the apertures or connecting holes 12 for purposes of imparting rigidity.

The connector member 40 is frictionally held within each of the connecting holes 12 of the opposed panels.4 and 14. To obtain tight fit securement, rotation of the connector member 40 is necessary so as to rotate the opposed arms 44 and 46 of clinch plate 42 into engagement with the crown surfaces 24 of the opposed tab portions 16 adjacent the connecting holes 12. This is readily accomplished by means of the incline track portions 22 of the tabs 16 and upon complete rotation to the uppermost point or crown 24 of the opposed tabs 16, secure, rigid relationship of connector member 40 and panels 4 and 14 is obtained.

Because a wedging action occurs for the complete and secure disposition of the connecting member 40 within the connecting apertures 12, it is desirable to use a tool to accomplish rotational securement of connector member 40. This is easily accomplished by the use of wrench which is inserted into the opening 72 provided between the engaging panels 4 and 14, the opening 72 being formed by reason of the fact that the recessed areas such as 30 and 32 of the adjacently positioned panels 4 and 14 prevent flush contact of the planar span 6 of the panels. The wrench 70 is provided with slot 74 of a size sufficient to accommodate the thickness of clinch plate 42 and to engage the mid-portion 68 thereof, which is not covered by end caps 52 and 54. Upon engagement of the wrench 70 with the mid-portion 68 of clinch plate 42, the connector member 40 may be easily rotated to the secured position shown in FIG. 2. An appropriately located tab stop (not shown) formed on the panel 4 or 14 may be used to limit the rotational movement of wrench 70 and insure that the opposed arms 44 and 46 of clinch plate 42 are properly positioned.

As earlier indicated, the radially disposed arm members 64 of the end cap members 52 and 54 provide a depth positioning guide for positioning the connector member 40 within the connector holes 12 prior to the wedge engagement of connector member 40 within the aligned and mating connector holes 12 of adjacently positioned panels 4 and 14. The arms 64 flex slightly as clinch plate 42 reaches crown 24. To disengage the connector member 40 from this secured position, one merely rotates the connector member out of the position shown in FIG. 2 to thereby move the opposed arms 44 and 46 out of engagement with the crown portions 24 of the opposed tabs 16 of each of the panel members 4 and 14, into the main opening 12, thereby allowing separation of the panels 4 and 14. It is contemplated that the invention as described be practiced other than is specifically shown. Indeed, various modifications, other materials of construction and the like will present themselves to those of ordinary skill and will not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

There has now been described a building panel construction which employs connector plate or panel members of unique design utilizing a connector member which is easily manipulable to obtain rigid securement of the panels to each other. Likewise, because of the features of the invention, quick disassemblage of the members is possible without damage to the other members making up the structure with which the invention is used.

I claim:

1. A panel construction comprising the combination of a first panel having a major planar span with spaced recess portions, the wall of said span intermediate said recess portions being discontinuous to define at least one connector hole, having inwardly opposed tab portions lying in a plane offset from the plane of said span; a second panel similar to said first panel and being in recess portions abutting relationship therewith; and a connector member disposed in said at least one connector hole in interlocking, interfitting relationship to rigidly secure said first and second panels together.

2. The building construction accordingly to claim 1, wherein said recess portions of said first and second panels prevent flush abutting relationship of the planar span of said first and second panels.

3. The building construction in accordance with claim 2, wherein said panel wall defining said connector hole in the area thereof is beaded in an offset direction away from said abutting portions of said panels.

4. The building construction in accordance with claim 3, wherein said bead in the area of said connector hole forms an interior groove with respect to the assembly of said panels.

5. The building construction in accordance with claim 4, wherein said tab portions are inwardly and downwardly directed with respect to adjacent wall portions of said panel defining said connector hole.

6. The building construction in accordance with claim 5, wherein said connector member is releasably secured within said connector holes by rotational movement thereof.

7. The building construction in accordance with claim 6, wherein said connector member comprises a cruciform plate member having opposed arm portions to engage the opposed tab portions of said connector holes of said first and second panels.

8. The building construction in accordance with claim 7, wherein said cruciform plate member has opposed arm portions engaging each of the opposed tab portions of said connector holes of said first and second panels.

9. The building construction in accordance with claim 8, wherein said connector member comprises an alignment cap member disposed in interfitting engagement on each side of said opposed arm portions of said plate member.

10. The building construction in accordance with claim 9, wherein said alignment cap members are provided with op- 5 jacent said arm to be received in interfitting engagement with said alignment caps.

12. The building construction in accordance with claim 11, wherein the end walls of said alignment caps are provided with receiving slots to receive said projections of said plate member.

13. The building construction in accordance with claim 12, wherein the sidewall of said alignment cap is slotted to receive said opposed arm portions of said plate member.

14. The building construction in accordance with claim 13, wherein said connector member is preassembled for disposition within said connector holes of said panels and upon insertion and rotation therein securement of said first and second panels is obtained.

15. The building construction in accordance with claim 14, wherein positioning means are provided within said recess portions to properly position said first and second panels for insertion of said connector member.

16. A construction panel for side-by-side engagement with a similar panel comprising a generally U-shaped member in cross section having a substantial intermediate planar portion and normal side portions, said planar portion having a discontinuous wall defining at least one connector hole with inwardly opposed tab portions about a peripheral portion thereof, said tab portions extending generally inwardly with respect to said side portions and being curvilinear segments adapted to receive a connecting member joining two of said construction panels.

17. A construction panel in accordance with claim 16, wherein recess areas projecting in the opposite direction of said side portions are positioned on each side of said at least one connector hole.

18. A construction panel in accordance with claim 17, wherein said recess areas are integrally formed from said planar portions, and an aperture and adjacent tang are formed within each of said recess areas to form positioning means therefor with respect to another panel placed in mating sideby-side relationship, having the identical configuration as said construction panel. 

1. A panel construction comprising the combination of a first panel having a major planar span with spaced recess portions, the wall of said span intermediate said recess portions being discontinuous to define at least one connector hole, having inwardly opposed tab portions lying in a plane offset from the plane of said span; a second panel similar to said first panel and being in recess portions abutting relationship therewith; and a connector member disposed in said at least one connector hole in interlocking, interfitting relationship to rigidly secure said first and second panels together.
 2. The building construction accordingly to claim 1, wherein said recess portions of said first and second panels prevent flush abutting relationship of the planar span of said first and second panels.
 3. The building construction in accordance with claim 2, wherein said panel wall defining said connector hole in the area thereof is beaded in an offset direction away from said abutting portions of said panels.
 4. The building construction in accordance with claim 3, wherein said bead in the area of said connector hole forms an interior groove with respect to the assembly of said panels.
 5. The building construction in accordance with claim 4, wherein said tab portions are inwardly and downwardly directed with respect to adjacent wall portions of said panel defining said connector hole.
 6. The building construction in accordance with claim 5, wherein said connector member is releasably secured within said connector holes by rotational movement thereof.
 7. The building construction in accordance with claim 6, wherein said connector member comprises a cruciform plate member having opposed arm portions to engage the opposed tab portions of said connector holes of said first and second panels.
 8. The building construction in accordance with claim 7, wherein said cruciform plate member has opposed arm portions engaging each of the opposed tab portions of said connector holes of said first and second panels.
 9. The building construction in accordance with claim 8, wherein said connector member comprises an alignment cap member disposed in interfitting engagement on each side of said opposed arm portions of said plate member.
 10. The building construction in accordance with claim 9, wherein said alignment cap members are provided with opposed leg portions which engage said panels adjacent said interior groove in the area of said connector hole.
 11. The building construction in accordance with claim 10, wherein said plate members are provided with projections adjacent said arm to be received in interfitting engagement with said alignment caps.
 12. The building construction in accordance with claim 11, wherein the end walls of said alignment caps are provided with receiving slots to receive said projections of said plate member.
 13. The building construction in accordance with claim 12, wherein the sidewall of said alignment cap is slotted to receive said opposed arm portions of said plate member.
 14. The building construction in accordance with claim 13, wherein said connector member is preassembled for disposition within said connector holes of said panels and upon insertion and rotation therein securement of said first and second panels is obtained.
 15. The buildiNg construction in accordance with claim 14, wherein positioning means are provided within said recess portions to properly position said first and second panels for insertion of said connector member.
 16. A construction panel for side-by-side engagement with a similar panel comprising a generally U-shaped member in cross section having a substantial intermediate planar portion and normal side portions, said planar portion having a discontinuous wall defining at least one connector hole with inwardly opposed tab portions about a peripheral portion thereof, said tab portions extending generally inwardly with respect to said side portions and being curvilinear segments adapted to receive a connecting member joining two of said construction panels.
 17. A construction panel in accordance with claim 16, wherein recess areas projecting in the opposite direction of said side portions are positioned on each side of said at least one connector hole.
 18. A construction panel in accordance with claim 17, wherein said recess areas are integrally formed from said planar portions, and an aperture and adjacent tang are formed within each of said recess areas to form positioning means therefor with respect to another panel placed in mating side-by-side relationship, having the identical configuration as said construction panel. 